BASEBALL

BASEBALL; Fan Tussles With Myers on Field

Published: September 29, 1995

CHICAGO, Sept. 28—
A 27-year-old bond trader ran on the field and attacked Randy Myers of the Chicago Cubs, moments after the reliever gave up a home run today that could have cost his team a chance at the National League wild-card spot.

The incident happened after pinch-hitter James Mouton hit a two-run homer that put the Houston Astros ahead by 9-7 in the eighth inning. Then a man jumped from the Wrigley Field stands, crossed the first-base line and ran toward the 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound pitcher.

Myers saw the fan coming, dropped his glove and knocked him down with his forearm. The two were rolling on the ground near the pitcher's mound, and Myers had the man pinned when several Cubs players broke up the fight.

"His hands started reaching for what I thought was a weapon," said Myers, skilled in martial arts. "I made sure his hands didn't go into his waistband and pull out a knife or a gun."

The fan, John Murray of suburban Riverside, Ill., was removed by Wrigley Field security officers and taken to Town Hall police lockup, about five blocks from the ball park. The police said Murray, 6-1 and 185 pounds, was not armed.

A man identified by the police as Murray's brother said he was at the game when Myers was brought in to relieve. "If he throws another home run, I'm going to run out there and give him what for," the man, who did not give his name, quoted his brother as saying.

Murray was charged with assault and disorderly conduct. He was released on $75 bond, and a court date was set for Oct. 24.

Murray's wife, Lucy, said her husband is a lifelong Cubs fan and attends about 15 games a season. She said he works at the Chicago Board of Trade as a broker in bond options. The couple was married in May and is expecting a child.

Myers, a member of the Nasty Boys in the Cincinnati bullpen in 1990 and known as a tough guy who collects military memorabilia, remained in the game. Shortly after the incident, the Cubs came back to tie the game and force extra innings, winning by 12-11 in the 11th.

Photo: Cubs reliever Randy Myers wrestling with John Murray, a fan who ran on the field yesterday, as a Wrigley Field security worker and shortstop Shawon Dunston try to break up the fight. (Associated Press)